China has imposed reciprocal restrictions on staff at the US embassy and consulates in China including its general-consulate in Hong Kong and their personnel, Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said on Friday.

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This is aimed to urge the United States to revoke its previous wrongdoings at an early date, Zhao said in a statement published on the ministry's website.

We once again urge the US side to immediately correct its mistake, revoke its irrational restrictions on Chinese embassy and consulates in the US as well as their personnel.

Zhao Lijian, Chinese Foreign Ministry's spokesman

The US State Department announced on Sept 2 that senior Chinese diplomats will now need to seek its approval to visit US universities and to meet with local government officials. Since last October, the US already required Chinese officials to notify the department of plans for such meetings.

In addition, Chinese diplomats will have to get permission to host cultural events of more than 50 people outside their diplomatic missions.

"China's measures are justified and necessary reactions," Zhao said, adding that China has issued a diplomatic note to the US recently.

As China has repeatedly stated, relevant restrictions taken by the US side seriously violate international law and basic norms governing international relations, and seriously interfere with China-US relations and normal bilateral exchanges, he said.

However, Zhao noted that China will continue to support normal exchanges and cooperation between the two peoples and the Chinese embassies and consulates in the US will maintain normal exchanges with all circles in the US.

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"We once again urge the US side to immediately correct its mistake, revoke its irrational restrictions on Chinese embassy and consulates in the US as well as their personnel," Zhao said.

China will make an equivalent response according to the US' act, he added.

In June, the US ordered China to close its consulate in Houston, Texas, which prompted Beijing to force the closure of the US consulate in Chengdu.